Death-defying underwater escape in Urban Deception in Chilliwack

Full of illusions, magic, sleight-of-hand, mind reading, and a death-defying underwater escape, Urban Deception is an astonishing mix of urban-style street magic and comedic timing.

On Oct. 14 and 15, come and see Matt Johnson as he baffles audience members at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre with his spectacular style of magic in Urban Deception.

His most well-known and incredible water escape that was featured on the hit TV show Penn & Teller: Fool Us, was inspired by his brother, Jonathan who has tuberous sclerosis, a genetic disease that grows benign tumours throughout his organs and causes regular seizures. The seizures rob him of his motor functions and his ability to breathe for minutes on end. Locking himself in the tank helps Johnson understand what his brother goes through.

“When I am in the water tank, chained up, I am aware of my surroundings but cannot get out. The escape is the struggle and the fight that my brother goes through,” he says.

His dangerous escape act will leave you holding your breath alongside him as he makes his escape from his locked tank filled with water.

Johnson’s began his career in his hometown of Sheffield, England, and he has been perfecting his craft in the art of magic and illusions for more than 20 years. From Vancouver to Japan to Dubai and Australia, he has travelled around the world, and as he travelled, his knowledge of the arts grew, and he picked up techniques and skills from the countries he visited and the people he’s met along the way. It is this unique perspective that has allowed Johnson to make his performances utterly captivating.

Johnson’s career has lead him not only across the globe, but he also has countless TV and movie credits to his name. Most recently was Johnson’s spot on Penn & Teller in the summer of 2017. While in 2014, he also starred in Wizard Wars on SyFy, a show that sees the world’s top magicians battling head to head. Each performance has allowed him to refine his style of magic, and define it into something uniquely his own.

With performances that are bold, powerful and delivered with an edgy urban flair that is uniquely his own, Johnson has masterfully created a show that will leave you mystified.

Urban Deception is coming to the Chilliwack Cultural Centre on Oct. 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Centre Box Office, online at www.chilliwackculturalcentre.ca, or by calling 604-391-SHOW(7469).